April 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department's

blockbuster case accusing Apple ( AAPL ) of unlawfully

monopolizing the smartphone market was reassigned to U.S.

District Judge Julien Neals in New Jersey on Wednesday after

another judge said he could not hear it due to a potential

conflict of interest.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, who had been assigned

to handle it, in a brief order said he was required to recuse

from the case based on a judicial ethics rule that can restrict

judges from hearing disputes in which they or a family member

have some close connection or financial tie.

The order said his recusal was mandatory, but Farbiarz did

not state the precise reason for his disqualification. Farbiarz

did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Farbiarz and Neals were both appointed to the bench by

Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden. Neals has served since 2021

and formerly worked as a New Jersey county government lawyer.

Farbiarz has served since last year, leaving his position as

general counsel to the Port Authority of New York and New

Jersey.

Farbiarz's recusal order appeared to come without any

request from Apple ( AAPL ) or the Justice Department. The government

declined to comment on Wednesday. Apple ( AAPL ) did not immediately

respond to a request for comment.

The Justice Department, along with 15 U.S. states, sued

Apple ( AAPL ) in March, accusing the Cupertino, California-based tech

giant of monopolizing the smartphone market through restrictions

on app developers that curb choice and innovation, which it said

forces consumers to pay higher prices.

Apple ( AAPL ) has denied the allegations and said the lawsuit

"threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple ( AAPL ) products

apart in fiercely competitive markets."

The lawsuit spurred related private civil lawsuits from

consumers and businesses. Many of those cases were filed in New

Jersey and were also reassigned to Neals.